The Night Before Meeting the Photographer and All Through The House....

So last night I met with my photographer, Brooke Turner, and could barely sleep the night before because I was so excited! Well then we had a change of plans from a lunch meeting to a dinner meeting because her nanny for her most precious twins was sick. But I wouldnt let that rain on my parade and was super excited to meet her for dinner with Erin & Trish.

She is going to be a joy to work with and I am sooo excited! Everything is coming together and Mom & I are looking at dresses on Saturday morning before the Clemson game at noon. :)

Until then, have a happy hump day!!!

My Bridal Party

A little more about my bridal party, that I did not put on my wedding website.

Erin is my Matron of Honor (MOH). Erin and I grew up together from the day that I moved to my neighborhood Windtree. We used to spend our days after school watching Baywatch and eating Tositos and Cheese Dip. Oh the joy of the old days. I was a bridesmaid in Erin's wedding and actually her wedding is the wedding where John and I's attraction officially started. Erin has always been that great girlfriend who has always been there for me when I have been home in North Augusta. With her experience and knowledge she is going to be an amazing MOH. Erin is a nurse and is going back to school to be a Nurse Practitioner.

Trish is a bridesmaid. Trish and I have always known each other since she was friends with tons of my friends that went to USC and well I went to Winthrop. Well at Erin's bacherlorette party, we put it all together that my mom and trish's mom used to work together and were like the glue that kept each other together back in the nursing days. To think that years later, Me & Trish would be bffe and keeping up with each other constantly. Trish and I always have a great time and she is currently residing in Columbia working as a pharmacist.

Crystal is a bridesmaid. Crystal is my future sister-in-law. She recently married John's brother, Richard, in May 2010. She is a big part in John's life as his fashion consultant, advice giver, and keeping John in check. Crystal is a great friend to me, even before I was becoming a part of the family. Her humor, personality, and overall charisma, keeps me always want to hang out with her! Crystal is a PE teacher at a local middle school.

Casey is a bridesmaid. Casey and I went to Winthrop University together. Back in the day of when you would scope out the potential freshman coming to Winthrop for sorority recruitment, I realized a girl from Camden was coming to Winthrop. One of my dear friends lived in Camden for a brief stunt, so I made that be our common topic of conversation to first meet. To think that first conversation, would lead to millions more. I was in Casey's wedding recently in April 2010. She is that friend that is always there for me, and even more. We have been through alot together that has made her one of my dearest friends. Casey is currently living in Tampa, FL and working full-time while attending Law School.

Erica is a bridesmaid. Erica and I lived on the same hall freshman year at Winthrop University, and also joined the same sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha. We became great friends, and like all friends have ups and downs, but we have that friendship that gets through everything. She is getting married in February 2011. We even were the same major, Early Childhood Education, so we actually were like in almost every class together. Erica is that person that helps light up a room and keeps the evening going through her humor and spunky personality. Erica currently works at a Kindergarten Teacher in Columbia, SC.

Lorna is a bridesmaid. Lorna and I both joined the same sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha. We lived together numerous times in the lovely ZTA house. Lorna and I have this friendship that it doesnt matter if we talk every week (which we do) but its like the conversation can take off and never stop! We became super close our senior year, and even were each other's support team for when we both were going through graduate school. Lorna currently resides in Fredricksburg, VA and is crafting, coaching peewee cheerleading, and working a new job to get to that dream job (like myself).

Sam is a bridesmaid. Sam and I were a member of the same sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha. We always knew each other, but became close once she joined ZTA. Sam is a complete individual who you can always have a good time with. Sam and I actually were roommates in the ZTA house our senior year, and actually shared the same room together and had a blast. Throughout the years we have stayed in touch and I would call Sam once of my close friends. Even at our yearly ZTA girls reunions its always like old times when we lived in our Harry Potter under the stairs room. Sam is currently residing in Myrtle Beach, SC and is working as a Recreation Assistant and Instructor.

Toni is a bridesmaid. Toni and I joined the same sorority Zeta Tau Alpha and were in the same pledge class with Erica as well. We were the the few freshman who actually joined ZTA that year. Toni and I lived on the same hall our freshman year. We were roomies in the ZTA house, and even lived together while she was finishing up her undergraduate degree and I was starting graduate school. Toni and I have always had great times and I really consider her a true friend to me. Toni is currently living in Clemson, SC and attending Clemson University working on her Masters/PhD.

Thats a little about the girls who will be standing up there with me when John and I become man & wife :)

Happy Monday everyone!

I'M ENGAGED

Well alright, I've gotta give up on the 10 days since I started it well over 20 days ago....

But some exciting news to my blogger readers is that I got engaged on October 16, 2010! We are having our wedding on July 16, 2011. I am sooo excited and have gotten so much done in one week that is kind of crazy!

We are super excited for the upcoming craziness of planning a wedding, getting us both back in the same area, getting married, going on a honeymoon, and living happily ever after! I am meeting with my photographer, Brooke Turner on Tuesday with my Matron of Honor, Erin & Bridesmaid Trish! I am super excited!!!! I have the church, reception, florist, and photographer all inked in and ready to go!

Day Four

Day Four: Seven things that cross your mind a lot...

1. When will God show me a sign for his plan for me in life. As much as I love staying busy with subbing and working at the Gap, I truly feel that I am missing out on so much not being in my own classroom. To be practicing what I was taught, and to be implementing my awesome ideas, it is just not the same when subbing and being the classroom nazi.

2. When will I get to be the Big Kid I want to be. Living at home stinks - but heck its free and paid for and I have two awesome roomies - My parents. I am lucky to not have bills right now but I mean I just cannot wait to have my own space eventually.

3. When will it really get to be true fall weather and not this hot one day, cold only in the morning weather.

4. What will I do for halloween this year?

5. Will John and I really go to a corn maize this weekend? I love corn maizes! Ask Laine & Amye, they know my love for them :)

6. Where will the future place me. I am anxious with the direction mine and John's relationship is heading, and wondering where will I be next year. He is 99% sure he will not be at Berkeley next year, he wants to get back closer to home or with a new coach, so I wonder where we will be. This whole year apart thing has been rougher than ever; we did it last year, but I had grad school to keep me busy. This year its just I have a lot of sad days where I cannot wait till the weekend, not because I hate weekdays, because I know I will see him.

7. When will I get motivated to put up all my spring/summer clothes and pull out the fall/winter attire.

Day Three (A Little Late)

Day Three: Eight Things You Couldn't Live Without...

1. The Office

2. John

3. My Family

4. DVR

5. My Friends

6. Funky Jewerly

7. Facebook (lol)

8. Sports

*Sorry For So Late...I just get in a funk where I forget to blog....Will get better!

Woman, her husband took the journey to recovery together....

Today is the day where Oprah starts calling our house to interview Mom after her local celebrity status.... just kidding. Today really is the day that the pink North Augusta Today came out with articles featuring different local breast cancer survivors. The article was great, we got a copy last night, just a few typographical errors. For instance, Mom went through this in 2009 and entered into remission this year (2010). And also her stage three tumor, is actually one step away from being the most advanced stage. Enjoy the article below and let me know what you think :) Happy Breast Cancer Awareness Everyone!

Lou Ann Sink found a lump in her breast just a month before her scheduled mammogram in 2001. She immediately called her doctor, who performed a scan and reassured her that the tumor was most likely not cancerous. However, Sink received a call from her doctor after a few days telling her that she did have breast cancer.

"We were really shocked and surprised," she said. "There's so much more publicity about breast cancer now, but you still never think it's going to happen to you." Although any cancer can be terrifying, Sink was fortunate that her tumor was in stage three, which is one of the less advanced stages. Some of her lymph nodes were also cancerous, however, which made it necessary for her to undergo a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. The treatment was effective, and she achieved remission in summer 2002.

The process was difficult, she admitted. "I was determined to keep going, though," she said.
Her main source of support was her husband, Donnie. He was devastated when he heard the news of his wife's cancer, he said. "That day of knowing, of finding out, was just going from the top to the bottom," Donnie Sink said.

The Sinks' advice to families of women with breast cancer is to pace themselves through the difficult days of diagnosis and treatment. "Take it one step, one day at a time," she said. "I knew it was going to be a journey, but I decided that we could get through it." Donnie also said that positive thinking is important to making it through the ordeal. "I think Lou Ann's positive attitude and faith in God is what got her through this," he said. "She was a trooper."

The most important thing, they agreed, was to support each other. "You can't make it through this alone," she said.

Day Two

Day Two: Nine things about yourself that most people don't know

1. I secretly want to travel the world. I mean I will probably never have the monetary resources to do it like I want to, but a dream is nice.

2. I used to suck my thumb (until 3rd grade). After two phases of braces and a couple of retainers is how my teeth look oh so good!

3. I love all things hot. I used to not like spicy things but as I have gotten older, I have def acquired the taste for spicy-ness.

4. I love to be super busy. I may say oh I am too stressed out I can't add something else to my plate, but if I am bored - I hate it.

5. Sometimes I secretly (like 1% of the time) wish I had not gone off to grad school, so I would have a teaching job right now. I know I am putting my foot in my mouth with this, but it just a thing I often think of. But if I had not gone to grad school I would of never met some of the awesome people in my life nor would I have been given the opprotunities in my life as well.

6. I live for technology. If it isn't a smart phone, a computer, an iPod, a reader, etc, I cannot survive. I love to have access to things at my own terms. So when service goes out or I run out of towers, I am not happy.

7. I love decorating. Holidays are my favorites with Fall, Halloween, Turkey Day and Xmas all being in the top of my list.

8. I sometimes get super anxious about not knowing things, but I have learned in time that things all work out of a reason.

9. I have the best memory ever. I can remember what you said to me, when it was, what I was wearing, and who was there. Need to know something, ask me!

Day One

Day One: Ten things you want to say to ten different people right now.


1. Mom - That I love you unconditionally and am so thankful for you. I am so proud of you for all that you do and that you are the apple of my eye when it comes to defeating things. You are apart of the 1 in 8 women have breast cancer, but you were tough and beat it. You are a true supporter of everyone and have now reacher out to others to share you stories and success to help comfort to others.

2. Dad - I cannot express how happy to have you as my father. You and I are twins in a sense of everything but the Rogers pug nose. You gave me my dipples and my long legs and I am thankful for that. You are a true supporter in all that we decide to do and are always my #1 fan.

3. John - You are the greatest guy that God has put in my life - during my story of life. I am so happy for us and cannot wait to see what our future has in store for us.

4. Casey - You amaze me everytime we talk because you are def. doing big things in life. To be working full time, in law school, and living your classicly popful lifestyle, you are a true hard worker. I cannot wait to watch our friendship more evolve as we start true big kid worlds one day and laugh upon our Winthrop times.

5. Lorna - I am so excited for your special day next year and am blessed to be apart of it. Through everything we have been through you are that friend I know I can call for anything!!!

6. Kyle - You are a great brother and I know you are going to do big things once you are done with Clemson. Love you!

7. Erin - I am so proud of you for going back to school to be a NP. You are going to be great at it and just get through school and you'll be set. I am so glad to have a great friend throughout my life like you :)

8. Readers out there - I am so glad you are able to read about my crazy and sometimes interesting life :)

9. Mimi & Nana - I love you so much and ya'll are dear to my heart.

10. Family - Love You!

Starting Tomorrow....

10 Blog Post in 10 Days....

Saw this on Thoughts Uncorked , my friend Faith's blog, and thought I would give it a try as well!!! :)

Day One: Ten things you want to say to ten different people right now.

Day Two: Nine things about yourself that most people don't know.

Day Three: Eight things you couldn't live without.

Day Four: Seven things that cross your mind a lot.

Day Five: Six things you wish you could change or you wish you’d never done.

Day Six: Five people who mean a lot to you.

Day Seven: Four turn offs.

Day Eight: Three turn ons.

Day Nine: Two words that describe your life right now.

Day Ten: One confession.

I love WEEKENDS

After the week I had, I am glad it is the weekend....

Nothing bad happened but it was just either boring, uneventful, emotional, etc. I only subbed one day this week and only worked at the Gap 2 days (Sunday Night Shift [6p-12a] and Thursday Night). Oh yeah, back to why I was asking for prayers and great thoughts on Thursday from Wednesday's post, I got a phone call Monday for an interview at a school in Aiken County School District - Area 5. That is out towards the Savannah River Site. A teacher is having to resign because she is having to go back home to help take care of her parents who are not doing well. As I def. feel bad for her - it was another time for me to interview. I will hear back from them by Monday they said.

This weekend as I have previously blogged I am with John down in Charleston. We have had a great weekend so far as I am blogging and watching the Clemson game. Hopefully they will win. We have had a great Friday and so far a great Saturday. I am so lucky to be with someone who really does understand and is actually there for me and overall a GREAT guy :)

Hope all my friends & readers are having a great and blessed weekend! Also, Happy Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This week I'll share the article that was written about my mom.

The North Augusta Today was looking for people to interview in the North Augusta area who have are breast cancer survivors.

Well I emailed them & without knowing it my Dad also emailed them. Ha! So they called the house on Wednesday and met at our house on Thursday. The journalist with the NA Today interviewed and took a picture of my mom. I am excited to see the interview in the paper, as I missed her "big debut of celebrity status" since I had to work Thursday night!